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2014
Bible Study Guide for the Fourth Quarter
The epistle of James has been one of the most misunderstood
books of the Bible. Who was James, anyway? Was he a legalist,
teaching that justification is really by works instead of faith? Or
was he simply providing a slightly different perspective on the
subject, similar to the several perspectives on the teachings of Jesus
that we find in the Gospels? The answer is, clearly, the latter, as we
will discover in the fourth quarter 2014 study guide entitled, The
Book of James by Clinton Whalen.
James had a firsthand knowledge of Jesus, and his epistle may
very well be the earliest Christian writing in existence.
The epistle of James exudes confidence in the return of Jesus; it
also provides crucial perspectives on the law, the judgment, and the
Second Coming. Our journey this quarter spans the entire Christian
era, as it includes some of the earliest preaching, as well as special
insights for these last days.
Lesson 1
—James, the Lord’s Brother
The Week at a Glance:
S: James, the Brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3)
M: James, the Believer (Gal. 2:9)
T: James and the Gospel (James 2:22, 23)
W: To the Twelve Tribes Scattered Abroad (Acts 11:19–21)
T: James and Jesus (James 4:12, Matt. 7:1)
Memory Text—John 15:14
Sabbath Gem:
Who was James? What was his background?
What had been his relationship to Jesus? And what position did he
hold in the church? We will discover that this week.
Lesson 2
—The Perfecting of Our Faith
The Week at a Glance:
S: Faith Lasts (James 1:2, 3)
M: Perfection (James 1:4)
T: Asking in Faith (James 1:5, 6)
W: The Flip Side of Faith (James 1:7, 8)
T: The Rich and the Poor (James 5:1–4)
Memory Text—Hebrews 12:2
Sabbath Gem:
We should not worry over whether or not our
characters will be good enough in the end. That is God’s work. Our
role is to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) by keeping our
eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Lessons for the Visually Impaired
The regular Adult Sabbath School
Bible Study Guide is available free each month in braille and on audio CD to sight-
impaired and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal ink print. This
includes individuals who, because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accident,
and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal ink-print publications. Contact Christian
Record Services for the Blind, Box 6097, Lincoln, NE 68506-0097. Phone: 402-488-
0981; e-mail: info@christianrecord.org; Web site: www.christianrecord.org.